Travel Advice

The British Foreign Office has the following advice about travelling to New Zealand:

There is no British consular representation on the Cook Islands, or the islands of Niue and Tokelau.

If you are visiting remote areas, you should ensure that your journey details are made known to local authorities or friends/relatives before setting out. Weather conditions can quickly become treacherous, especially in winter.

Motor insurance is not a legal requirement in New Zealand. Therefore, even though the UK has a reciprocal Healthcare Agreement with New Zealand, private accident insurance is strongly recommended. This is because New Zealand law has removed the right of accident victims to sue a third party in the event of an accident.

The threat from terrorism in New Zealand is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Around 300,000 British nationals visit New Zealand each year. Most visits to New Zealand are trouble-free. The majority of cases for which British nationals require consular assistance are due to replacing lost or stolen passports or when getting into difficulties whilst enjoying outdoor activities i.e hiking, climbing and canoeing.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. If you intend to participate in adventure activities eg: bungee jumping or white water rafting, you should ensure that your travel insurance covers these types of activities. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Please check the foreign office website for more up to date information.